CSP-AVO8560 - Advanced Studio: Graphite & Colored Pencil

Course Description

Fine tune the drawing skills you've been learning in Basic Drawing (CSP-AVO 8558) and Intermediate Drawing (CSP-AVO 8559) in this advanced drawing class. Each session features an instructor-selected subject for guided studio practice. Subjects vary weekly and are designed to challenge advanced observational and rendering skills in graphite and/or colored pencil.
Weekly sessions address advanced skill development across topics including, but not limited to: value, color theory, contour, form, composition, edge control, texture, and light. Instructor selects weekly focus and subject matter.

Students may work on the instructor-presented subject or bring their own work in progress. Each session concludes with a group critique. This course targets and strengthens each student’s most vulnerable areas of practice.

Course Outline

Each 2-hour session follows this format:
First 10–15 minutes: Instructor introduction of weekly subject and skill focus
60–70 minutes: Independent studio work — instructor-presented subject or personal work in progress
15–20 minutes: Group critique — all work reviewed, discussed, and evaluated as a class
Final 5 minutes: Instructor closing remarks and preview of following session
Weekly subjects are instructor-selected and vary each course run. The skill framework below represents the advanced practice areas addressed across the 8 weeks.

Week 1 Instructor-selected subject — advanced skill focus introduced at session start

Week 2 Instructor-selected subject — advanced skill focus introduced at session start

Week 3 Instructor-selected subject — advanced skill focus introduced at session start

Week 4 Instructor-selected subject — advanced skill focus introduced at session start

Week 5 Instructor-selected subject — advanced skill focus introduced at session start

Week 6 Instructor-selected subject — advanced skill focus introduced at session start

Week 7 Instructor-selected subject — advanced skill focus introduced at session start

Week 8 Instructor-selected subject — advanced skill focus introduced at session start

Skill areas addressed across sessions include but are not limited to: value, color theory, contour, form, composition, edge control, texture, and light.

Learner Outcomes

By the end of 8 sessions, students will have:

• Strengthened identified weak areas in their observational and rendering practice

• Developed greater independence and decision-making in their studio work

• Practiced sustained, focused rendering across multiple sessions and subjects

• Engaged in structured critique and applied feedback to their work

• Built a personal body of studio work across graphite and/or colored pencil

Group Critique - Each session concludes with a structured group critique. Students present their work, receive instructor feedback, and participate in peer discussion. Critique is an active component of this course, not optional. Students are expected to engage with both giving and receiving feedback at an advanced level.

Notes

*If you will not be working in colored pencils, please call Customer Service at 704-330-4223 to have the prerequisite for CSP-AVO 8657 - Colored Pencils waived.

Group Critique - Each session concludes with a structured group critique. Students present their work, receive instructor feedback, and participate in peer discussion. Critique is an active component of this course, not optional. Students are expected to engage with both giving and receiving feedback at an advanced level.